Lancashire, UK-based Pertex is partnering with Bureo, of Oxnard, California, to develop lightweight nylon fabrics made from NetPlus 100% recycled fishing net yarn.

The partnership will see Pertex fabrics made with NetPlus introduced into the Autumn/Winter collections of brands including Albion Cycling, Burton Snowboards, Jöttnar, Macpac and Patagonia.

Bureo is working to eliminate fishing net pollution by providing fishermen with an end-of-life solution for discarded fishing nets. Since its founding in 2013, it remains the only supplier of 100% recycled and discarded fishing nets that are fully traceable to their source. The company works directly with fishing communities to provide the resources, training and incentives needed to responsibly dispose of their fishing nets at end of life.

The nets are converted into a fully traceable, premium 100% recycled Netplus nylon 6 that rivals virgin nylon 6.

Pertex fabrics made from NetPlus, including Quantum, Shield and Equilibrium, meet the same rigorous performance standard as the rest of the company’s range, ensuring that there is no compromise on performance. The fabrics remain durable, lightweight and breathable. In lab tests, Pertex NetPlus fabrics showed the same abrasion resistance and tear strength as fabrics made from virgin nylon. Additionally, the switch to NetPlus results in a 20% GHG reduction, a 70% water reduction, a 67% fossil fuel reduction and a 68% energy reduction compared to virgin nylon.

“These fabrics are engineered to be direct replacements for fabrics made from virgin material, not just to be resigned to minor sustainable capsule collections,” says Pertex brand director Andy Laycock. “This allows significant and measurable reductions in fossil fuel reliance and greenhouse gas emissions, whilst helping to empower fishing communities and protect marine ecosystems.”

www.pertex.com

www.bureo.co